How much will Nick Westbrook-Ikhine's next contract be worth?

The Tennessee Titans played hardball with mainstay wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine in recent offseasons. Heading into the 2023 summer, the Titans declined an opportunity to place a $2.66 million tender on him as a restricted free agent. That decision paid off, with the Titans eventually re-signing Westbrook-Ikhine to a one-year contract worth $1.26 million, less than half the price of the aforementioned tender.

Westbrook-Ikhine had earned routine praise from the previous coaching staff for his usefulness on special teams, as a blocker, and ability to play every receiver position. New head coach Brian Callahan came in and felt similarly. This past offseason, the Titans re-signed Westbrook-Ikhine to another modest one-year contract, this time worth $2 million.

Negotiations are going to look drastically different between Westbrook-Ikhine and the Titans this time around.

Westbrook-Ikhine opened the season in familiar fashion. As a reserve pass catcher between a slew of wideouts, including Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins, and Treylon Burks. Even with Hopkins only mildly healthy in Weeks 1 and 2 due to an offseason injury, Westbrook-Ikhine only played 23 total snaps. Burks, the former first-rounder, played 77 snaps by comparison.

That feels like a lifetime ago. Hopkins was eventually traded to the Kansas City Chiefs, and Burks suffered a potentially season-ending injury (it has since been confirmed to be season ending). Burks was failing to meet expectations once again and the Titans at that point had no choice but to elevate Westbrook-Ikhine into a more starring role.

The rest is history.

Westbrook-Ikhine has exploded down the stretch, recording at least one touchdown in seven of Tennessee's last eight contests. The former Indiana standout has scored eight TDs in total, having reached the end zone twice in Sunday's defeat to the Washington Commanders. The sample size is too large and consistent to be considered a blip.

It'll certainly be interesting to monitor what negotiations between the Titans and Westbrook-Ikhine look like this time around. A fifth-year undrafted free agent, he's spent his entire career with the Titans. Until recently, he's been utilized in a reserve role. Even now, his eight TDs, which ranks fourth in the NFL behind just Ja'Marr Chase (13), Terry McLaurin and Amon-Ra St. Brown (9), have arrived via just 20 receptions and 365 yards. For context, eight receiving touchdowns is tied for the most any skill player has ever scored on 20 or fewer receptions dating back to 1932, per Easton Freeze.

Westbrook-Ikhine is playing on an expiring contract for the third straight campaign. Ridley is the only proven Titans receiver signed through next season. The aging Tyler Boyd is set for free agency, and the Burks experience has to end.

Perhaps the most comparable contract for a Westbrook-Ikhine extension is the one signed by Jauan Jennings last season. A similar player from a play-style and versatility perspective, Jennings inked a two–year, $15.4 million contract extension with the 49ers in March. In true Westbrook-Ikhine style, he's currently responding with a career-best season, taking advantage of opportunities created by injuries to other players.

What's particularly interesting is that Jennings didn't possess much negotiating power when he entered discussions. He was fresh off a 19 catch, 265-yard, one touchdown season. Westbrook-Ikhine has already scored seven more TDs than Jennings did throughout 2023, strongly indicating the Titans will have to surpass the near $7.7 million per-year deal inked by San Francisco's utility receiver in March.

Westbrook-Ikhine has positioned himself to more than triple his current salary. Will the Titans buy into his breakout season and keep a familiar weapon in the fold opposite Ridley for Will Levis next season? They won't have the upper hand in contract discussions this time.